CRICKET

Te Ao Hou, Summer 1954, Page 50

CRICKET Why do so few Maoris play cricket? I play, myself, and have often been asked this question. Quite frankly I have never been able to find a complete or satisfying answer, because on the face of it so many Maoris have all the physical attributes which help to make the good cricketer. A good eye, innate sense of balance and timing, a flair for ball-games, and an almost uncanny gift of ‘style’ seem to be the lot of most Maoris. These characteristics, together with team spirit, patience and self-discipline, are the main requirements of the good cricketer. I do not like to think that it is because of the last two that the Maori has little interest in the game, but it must be said that his natural tendency is often towards the spectacular. He prefers the sudden blaze of action with slim chance of success to the more cautious digging-in tactics, which leave honours even and delay a decision to another day. These tactics to-day are all too common in big cricket, but sometimes, for the team's sake, cricket demands this cautious, self-effacing technique. Our friends from Fiji who toured New Zealand this summer, play a completely uninhibited game with great success, and I believe the Maoris would also. Most Maoris who do play, and even those who have reached the top grades, have a most cavalier approach. Although they may not win the regard of the purist, they delight the spectator. Few people in Wellington would deny that Jimmy Ell was, in his day, the most fluent and attractive stroke producer in the country. Jimmy made his share of ‘ducks', but he also got his share of centuries, including the Wellington record score of 291. I understand that John Smith, of Kaikohe, is a competent cricketer as well as a fine Rugby player, as was his brother Peter, the news of whose death saddened us in January last. Most of our people live in rural districts, where the good pitch is unknown. Most who do play in the country have to depend on coir matting over uneven turf, or over concrete, often with a rough outfield. With more of our youth now attending pakeha district high schools and city colleges, however, the number of Maoris playing cricket is increasing. A few are breaking into representative cricket, and among these are the Sciascia brothers from Levin, Hemi, from Waikato and Auckland, and Taiaroa in this season's Otago Brabin Shield team. I would like to hear of any others. * * * * Seven students—most of them Maoris—were successful in the new University degree subject, Maori Studies (Stage I), which was introduced in 1953. Maori Studies replaces Maori, which dealt simply with the Maori language. The new subject is much wider, and besides the study of the language it includes Maori culture and history. The course forms part of the new anthropological department of Auckland University College. This year it is intended to provide also a more advanced course—Maori Studies (Stage II). * * * * The Cambridge branch of the M.W.W.L. arranged a catering stall for the day of the Queen's visit to that town, the proceeds going towards the new community centre.